Two teens charged with murder over ambush stabbing in Sydney

8 hours ago 2

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Luke Manassa, who was fatally stabbed in an ambush attack when he pulled up to his house in Sydney’s west last week.

Manassa and his girlfriend had arrived at the home on Driftwood Drive in Pemulwuy just before 10.45pm on June 26 when Manassa was stabbed several times in the chest in the driveway. Police said his two attackers were dressed in dark clothing and disguises.

Luke Manassa spoke about entrepreneurship on a 2023 podcast episode.

Manassa then attempted to drive away in his ute but made it only a few hundred metres down Driftway Drive before he was overcome by his injuries, police say. Paramedics tried to revive him, but he died at the scene.

Police executed early morning search warrants on Thursday and arrested a 17-year-old boy at South Penrith and a 16-year-old boy at Mount Druitt.

Police at the crime scene of a fatal stabbing on Driftway Drive, corner of Cherribit Street, Pemulwuy.

The teenagers were both charged with murder and remain behind bars after being refused bail. Both teens will appear before a children’s court on Friday.

During a third search at a separate residence in Woodcroft, police seized a red car they believe was used as the getaway car in the alleged murder.

The car police believe was the getaway vehicle.

According to online interviews, 21-year-old Manassa was employed at the family excavation business Mann Group, and was an aspiring entrepreneur.

Police last week said emergency services who arrived at the scene found Manassa with “significant injuries” near a silver Volkswagen Amarok ute parked by a bus stop and tennis courts. He was found several hundred metres from where police believe he was attacked.

“He was attacked outside the premises. He’s attempted to get away, however, he’s succumbed to his injuries,” Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said at a press conference on Friday last week.

Investigations under Strike Force Hickety are continuing.

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